PFW: First-round pick filling the bill up to now

[MadCardDisease]

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/The+Way+We+Hear+It/default.htm?mode=nfcwest

First-round pick filling the bill up to now

Although he’s considered far from being ready to assume one of the starting CB jobs ahead of either Rod Hood or Eric Green, the consensus among team insiders is that first-round draft pick Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie looked impressive in the team’s OTAs. “You could see that he’s very fast, and that he breaks on the ball well,” one daily Cromartie observer told PFW. “He also seems to have had no problem picking up the system. He did have problems picking up the trajectories of the ball on some plays, but all in all, I would have to say he looked pretty good.” The fact that Rodgers-Cromartie will be spending a great deal of time matched up in practice against No. 1 WR Larry Fitzgerald — as has often been the case in the team’s offseason activities up to now — figures to only accelerate the first-round draft pick’s development. Under more pressure from coaches to become a more refined route runner now that he has a hefty new contract under his belt, we hear Fitzgerald hardly showed Rodgers-Cromartie any mercy in their mano-a-mano matchups so far. Said one team insider: “Fitzgerald has looked a lot more physical, especially when matched up against Rodgers-Cromartie.”

 

[dreamcastrocks]

awesome. I want him to start day 1.

 

[CardinalChris]

I really think this will be a pick people will look back on and go "What were the other teams afraid of with this kid?"

The Fitzgerald blurb is also encouraging. Larry should be physical. He isn't going to blow by many, but he can maul the heck out of them.

 

[joeshmo]

During one of Whisenhunts end of OTA' interviews on the radio they asked about DRC. He stated withouta doubt his athletic ability, speed, agility, break on the ball and so one is very much so noticable from the get go. But his technique and strength needs a lot of work. He ended it by stating it is a question of him being a good CB it is a question of "When".

I think we see a lot of growing pains this year, but once he gets the technique, experiance, and mostly the added weight/strength they are asking of him we just might see a dyamite CB in 2009.

 

[cgolden]

I'm concerned about his weight, first and foremost. He's got the skills and he'll get up to speed as far as the system and the NFL game, his size/bulk is my biggest concern.

 

[lobo]

awesome. I want him to start day 1.

Whoa!!! The best 11 will start. He will no doubt get his playing time and be an outstanding DB one day. Practicing hard is going to make him a better...something like playing tennis against someone who is markedly better than you...only gets your game better.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Whoa!!! The best 11 will start. He will no doubt get his playing time and be an outstanding DB one day. Practicing hard is going to make him a better...something like playing tennis against someone who is markedly better than you...only gets your game better.

I think you missed the keyword here. Want. I want him to start because that means that he put in the work and Whiz has the confidence in him to do so.

I don't think that it will happen. Levi didn't start the year off, and it was clear from the moment that we drafted him that he was the best RT we had on the roster.

Hopeful expectation. Nothing more.

 

[Pariah]

“Fitzgerald has looked a lot more physical, especially when matched up against Rodgers-Cromartie.”

I could look more physical against a 180 lb guy, too.

 

[joeshmo]

I could look more physical against a 180 lb guy, too.

Baby Steps.

Could you look physical against a 182 lb guy though.

 

[ajcardfan]

I could look more physical against a 180 lb guy, too.

I'm sure if DRC stood still and didn't defend himself, you'd do awesome!

 

[SuperSpck]

a question of "When".

I think we see a lot of growing pains this year, but once he gets the technique, experiance, and mostly the added weight/strength they are asking of him we just might see a dyamite CB in 2009.

Agreed,

Bill Parcells recently taught us about being careful when rubbing players down with baby oil... or something like that.

I'm excited, but in 3 years we'll have a better idea with what is up.

 

[football karma]

well-- it sure beats "man-- why did we draft this guy?" after mini camp.

lets see him play in pads

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

Man, I should have played football!!! I am just about the same size as DRC: 6' 1" 184lbs...

 

[Garthshort]

Bulk

I have to agree with cgolden, on DRC. In the passing game, I think he'll be fine, but don't think he could play the run as he doesn't look big enough. And it's one thing to say the team wants him to add 10-12 lbs., but it's another to do it. I read that he said he can gain weight, but can't keep the added weight. We'll see what he weighs at TC. That said, he still looks like he could contribute as a nickel back.

 

[perivolaki]

During one of Whisenhunts end of OTA' interviews on the radio they asked about DRC. He stated withouta doubt his athletic ability, speed, agility, break on the ball and so one is very much so noticable from the get go. But his technique and strength needs a lot of work. He ended it by stating it is a question of him being a good CB it is a question of "When".

I think we see a lot of growing pains this year, but once he gets the technique, experiance, and mostly the added weight/strength they are asking of him we just might see a dyamite CB in 2009.

I heard that interview too. I think he commented on how he'll have to see him once they put the pads on and the hitting starts. It sounded like he has all the skills to play corner but they still aren't sure how he will react when a big NFL back breaks out into the secondary and DCR is the only person between him and paydirt. That's what seperates the men from the boys.

 

[Skkorpion]

It sounded like he has all the skills to play corner but they still aren't sure how he will react when a big NFL back breaks out into the secondary and DCR is the only person between him and paydirt. That's what seperates the men from the boys.

peri, from what I've observed, when most big NFL backs break into the secondary, most NFL CBs can't bring them down. Thats what the safeties are for. Run support skills by CBs may be overvalued by many fans.

Give me a CB who can hold Tory Holt to 4 receptions for 51 yards or keep Plaxico Burress to 6 catches for 87 yards with no TDs. If he can do that, his run support capabilities are irrelevant.

 

[earthsci]

peri, from what I've observed, when most big NFL backs break into the secondary, most NFL CBs can't bring them down. Thats what the safeties are for. Run support skills by CBs may be overvalued by many fans.

Give me a CB who can hold Tory Holt to 4 receptions for 51 yards or keep Plaxico Burress to 6 catches for 87 yards with no TDs. If he can do that, his run support capabilities are irrelevant.

Who wouldn't take Deion Sanders, in his prime(time) and without the attitude, at one of our corners? Couldn't (or wouldn't) tackle worth a lick but he was shut down. Let Adrian and Antrell get the hits.

 

[DaisyCutter]

peri, from what I've observed, when most big NFL backs break into the secondary, most NFL CBs can't bring them down. Thats what the safeties are for. Run support skills by CBs may be overvalued by many fans.

Give me a CB who can hold Tory Holt to 4 receptions for 51 yards or keep Plaxico Burress to 6 catches for 87 yards with no TDs. If he can do that, his run support capabilities are irrelevant.

I was going to say the exact same thing. Like blocking abilities in wide receivers, run support for cornerbacks isn't even a secondary issue. At best, it's the third or fourth thing you worry about.

The 3-4 defense will help protect both our corners, because there will be more mobile, physical OLBs further on the outside to contain the run or force it back toward the middle of the field.

People seem to easily forget that the 3-4 defense was conceived to stuff the run primarily.

 

[red desert]

Who wouldn't take Deion Sanders, in his prime(time) and without the attitude, at one of our corners? Couldn't (or wouldn't) tackle worth a lick but he was shut down. Let Adrian and Antrell get the hits.

Attitude? If by attitude you mean boatloads of confidence, then I agree. Deion was, and continues to be, the best cover corner ever. He can have all the attitude he wants, IMO.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

peri, from what I've observed, when most big NFL backs break into the secondary, most NFL CBs can't bring them down. Thats what the safeties are for. Run support skills by CBs may be overvalued by many fans.

Give me a CB who can hold Tory Holt to 4 receptions for 51 yards or keep Plaxico Burress to 6 catches for 87 yards with no TDs. If he can do that, his run support capabilities are irrelevant.

you could have both in Antoine Winfield.

 

[SuperSpck]

you could have both in Antoine Winfield.

Which is why we know his name.

 

[Skkorpion]

you could have both in Antoine Winfield.

Agreed. That man may be the best CB in football right now.

 

[earthsci]

Attitude? If by attitude you mean boatloads of confidence, then I agree. Deion was, and continues to be, the best cover corner ever. He can have all the attitude he wants, IMO.

Agreed. Just trying to save us from the ridiculous, "Hell no, you can keep his attitude off of this team."

 

[WildBB]

During one of Whisenhunts end of OTA' interviews on the radio they asked about DRC. He stated withouta doubt his athletic ability, speed, agility, break on the ball and so one is very much so noticable from the get go. But his technique and strength needs a lot of work. He ended it by stating it is a question of him being a good CB it is a question of "When".

I think we see a lot of growing pains this year, but once he gets the technique, experiance, and mostly the added weight/strength they are asking of him we just might see a dyamite CB in 2009.

Yes, much like Levi last season. This season will be a world of difference in consistency and outright domination.

 

[red desert]

Agreed. Just trying to save us from the ridiculous, "Hell no, you can keep his attitude off of this team."